When journalist Jennifer Reese lost her job, she was overcome by the impulse to economize by doing for herself what she had previously paid for, even though she had never before considered making her own peanut butter and pita bread, let alone curing her own prosciutto or raising turkeys. And was "doing it yourself" really cheaper, or better, or even a productive use of her time? In a book full of recipes, anecdotes, and delightful humor, Reese—also the host of the TipsyBaker.com food blog—presents a series of kitchen-related experiments she conducted, answering such questions as: Are backyard eggs a more ethical choice than store-bought? Will grinding and stuffing your own sausage ruin your week? Is it possible to make an edible maraschino cherry? Some of Reese's discoveries may surprise you—although you should make your hot dog buns, guacamole, and yogurt, for example, you should probably buy your hamburger buns, potato chips, and rice pudding. Amid tales of living with a backyard full of chickens, ducks, and baby goats; countertops laden with lacto-fermenting pickles; and closets full of mellowing cheeses, Reese gives us the lowdown on what is involved in a truly homemade life and how to get the most out of your time in the kitchen.

"A great read for cooks afflicted by curiosity about the do-it-yourself movement in food. Ms. Reese goes beyond jam and chutney into pasta, pastrami and graham crackers. Even her failed experiments, like homemade hot dogs, are entertaining."—NYTimes